It is widely acknowledged that one of the truly fabulous parts of Canberra living is finding the hidden gems, the perfect coffees, the galleries-come-bars-come-retreats from the real world; the secret Canberra that shouldn’t stay secret for long. Well then, the good news is that I have one more slice of cool to add to your arsenal of names to hurl at interstate doubters… Xchange on London.
Hidden in plain view a little way back from London Circuit, just down the way from Uni Pub, Xchange is an oasis amidst the clichéd, soulless government high-rises and the schnitzel-seeking hordes.
The relaxed and modern interior immediately set us at ease as we sipped on wine in the sleek, white, crisp surrounds. The restaurant is spacious enough that even when it gets full, one still has the luxury of privacy and intimacy.
The entrees arrived; the crisp lamb brisket with warm bean shoot salad and chenkong vinegar chilli soy bath, the Turkish beetroot and chickpea falafels matched with Semillon and the Duck rillettes with char grilled brioche, peach chutney, celery walnut pickle matched with Verdelho.
The Lamb brisket was an absolute standout – crisp on the outside and bursting with flavour on the inside. The dish was quite similar to pork belly and literally had the ability to make ones mouth water.
The falafel was fresh and zesty and the texture of the entrée was amazing. It was very refreshing to find a menu, particularly in Canberra where vegetarian options are not just an afterthought or a simple salad and Xchange had really given care to each dish.
The Duck rillettes had just the right amount of crunch from the celery, walnuts and pickles and tied in beautifully with the peach chutney flavour. The duck was cooked to perfection and not tough and over-cooked, how I have sometimes experienced duck before.
For our main meals, we ordered the Confit duck legs with Tyrells shiraz, Chicken breast with gnocchi goats cheese, peas, tomato consommé with sangiovese and the peppercorn crusted Marlin with green olives, watermelon, fetta, mint and roquette matched with Moscato.
The duck was surprisingly and somewhat an overwhelmingly generous sized proportion. It had been slow cooked for five hours and it was so soft it simply fell off the bone. The skin crunched perfectly and combined with the lentils, this was a match in heaven.
The chicken was a classic, often seen as ‘boring’ dish, given a twist and served with gnocchi. The chef avoided gimmickry and just presented and prepared the dish like a cosy Sunday roast.
The Marlin with a peppercorn crust was the standout dish. The spicy pepper contrasted with citrus tones, tang and soft, fresh flesh of fish was absolutely sensational.
Throughout the meal, the wonderful staff went above and beyond to make our dining experience truly amazing. They were very knowledgeable about every dish and matched all our meals with wine.
Modern Australian with an Italian accent, it is the delicious twist put on the classic and the expected that sets Xchange apart from other restaurants. From the interior and the food, to the concept itself, Xchange takes an old formula and subverts it to provide something fresh.
